US20220004127A1 - Fixing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents
Fixing device and image forming apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20220004127A1 US20220004127A1 US17/476,722 US202117476722A US2022004127A1 US 20220004127 A1 US20220004127 A1 US 20220004127A1 US 202117476722 A US202117476722 A US 202117476722A US 2022004127 A1 US2022004127 A1 US 2022004127A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- lubricant
- image forming
- rotating body
- viscosity
- heating rotating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
- G03G15/2003—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat
- G03G15/2014—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using contact heat
- G03G15/2017—Structural details of the fixing unit in general, e.g. cooling means, heat shielding means
- G03G15/2025—Structural details of the fixing unit in general, e.g. cooling means, heat shielding means with special means for lubricating and/or cleaning the fixing unit, e.g. applying offset preventing fluid
Definitions
- Embodiments described herein relate generally to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus.
- An image forming apparatus such as a multi-function peripheral or a laser printer includes a fixing device for fixing a toner image to paper.
- the fixing device transfers heat from a heater to paper through a fixing belt such that a toner image transferred to the paper is fixed to the paper.
- printing of an image, a character, or the like on paper is implemented.
- a pressing roller is pressed against a pressing pad through a fixing belt such that a nip through which paper passes is formed between the fixing belt and the pressing roller, the pressing pad being disposed inside the fixing belt. Therefore, when the fixing belt and the pressing roller rotate when paper passes through the nip, an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt slides along the pressing pad. Therefore, a lubricant such as silicone oil is applied to the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt. As a result, the friction resistance of the fixing belt is reduced.
- the silicone oil can leak from an end portion of the fixing belt or evaporate when the fixing belt is heated such that the amount of the silicone oil is reduced.
- sliding properties of the fixing belt gradually deteriorate along with the operation of the device. Therefore, various techniques of supplying the lubricant to the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt even during the operation of the device to suppress deterioration in the sliding properties of the fixing belt are disclosed.
- the lubricant is applied to the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt by a lubricant holding member. Therefore, deterioration of the sliding properties of the fixing belt can be suppressed.
- the viscosity thereof deteriorates, and the lubricant is likely to leak from the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to the outside. Therefore, when the operating time of the fixing device increases, the amount of lubricant may become insufficient.
- the outflow of the lubricant can be suppressed.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating an image forming unit
- FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fixing device
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the fixing device in a state where a fixing belt is not illustrated;
- FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a lubricant holding member attached to a base member
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control system that configures an image forming apparatus
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a lubricant holding member according to a modification example
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a lubricant holding member according to a modification example.
- FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a fixing device according to a modification example.
- a fixing device is a device that fixes a toner image to a medium conveyed in a conveying direction, the toner image being formed on the medium, the fixing device including a heating rotating body (e.g., a fixing belt), a heater, a pressing member (e.g., a pressing pad), a pressing rotating body (e.g., a pressing roller), and a lubricant holding member (holder).
- the heating rotating body is supported to be rotatable.
- the heater heats the heating rotating body.
- the pressing member is disposed inside the heating rotating body.
- the pressing rotating body is configured to be pressed against the pressing member through the heating rotating body to form a nip through which the medium passes.
- the lubricant holding member has an abutting surface that abuts against an inner circumferential surface of the heating rotating body.
- the abutting surface includes a first region to which a first lubricant having a first viscosity is added and a second region to which a second lubricant having a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity is added.
- an image forming apparatus e.g., a printer, copier, fax machine or the like
- an XYZ coordinate system including an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis perpendicular to each other is appropriately used.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment.
- the image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, multi-function peripheral (MFP).
- the image forming apparatus 10 includes a main body portion 11 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 13 that is disposed above the main body portion 11 .
- the document tray 12 is formed of transparent glass and is disposed above the main body portion 11 , and the automatic document feeder (ADF) 13 is pivotably provided on an upper surface side of the document tray 12 .
- an operation panel 14 is provided above the main body portion 11 .
- the operation panel 14 includes various keys and a graphical user interface (GUI).
- GUI graphical user interface
- a scanner 15 for reading an original document is provided below the document tray 12 .
- the scanner 15 reads an original document conveyed from the automatic document feeder 13 or an original document placed on the document tray 12 to generate image data.
- the scanner 15 includes an image sensor 16 .
- the image sensor 16 When reading an image of an original document placed on the document tray 12 , the image sensor 16 reads the image of the original document while moving along the document tray 12 in a +X direction. In addition, when reading an image of an original document supplied from the automatic document feeder 13 to the document tray 12 , the image sensor 16 is fixed at a position illustrated in FIG. 1 and reads an image of each of original documents that are sequentially conveyed.
- an image forming unit 17 is disposed in the main body portion 11 .
- the image forming unit 17 forms a toner image on a recording medium such as paper accommodated in a paper feed cassette 18 based on image data read by the scanner 15 or image data generated by a personal computer or the like.
- the image forming unit 17 includes: image forming units 20 Y, 20 M, 20 C, and 20 K that form latent images using toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K); scanning heads 19 Y, 19 M, 19 C, and 19 K corresponding to the image forming units; and an intermediate transfer belt 21 .
- the image forming units 20 Y, 20 M, 20 C, and 20 K are positioned below the intermediate transfer belt 21 .
- the image forming units 20 Y, 20 M, 20 C, and 20 K are arranged from a ⁇ X side to a +X side.
- the scanning heads 19 Y, 19 M, 19 C, and 19 K are disposed above the image forming units 20 Y, 20 M, 20 C, and 20 K, respectively.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged illustration of the image forming unit 20 K among the image forming units 20 Y, 20 M, 20 C, and 20 K.
- the respective image forming units 20 Y, 20 M, 20 C, and 20 K have the same configuration. Therefore, the configuration of each of the image forming units will be described using the image forming unit 20 K as an example.
- the image forming unit 20 K includes a photoconductive drum 22 as an image carrier. In the vicinity of the photoconductive drum 22 , an electrostatic charger 23 , a developing unit 24 , a primary transfer roller 25 , a cleaner 26 , and the like are disposed along a direction indicated by an arrow t. An exposure position of the photoconductive drum 22 is irradiated with laser light emitted from the scanning head 19 K. By irradiating a surface of the photoconductive drum 22 that is rotating with laser light, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 22 .
- the electrostatic charger 23 of the image forming unit 20 K uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductive drum 22 .
- the developing unit 24 e.g., developer
- the cleaner 26 releases and removes residual toner on the surface of the photoconductive drum 22 using a blade 27 .
- the toner released by the blade 27 is collected by the cleaner 26 .
- the intermediate transfer belt 21 is suspended by a driving roller 31 and three driven rollers 32 .
- the intermediate transfer belt 21 rotates to the left in FIG. 1 by the driving roller 31 rotating.
- the intermediate transfer belt 21 is in contact with an upper surface of each of the photoconductive drums 22 of the image forming units 20 Y, 20 M, 20 C, and 20 K.
- a primary transfer voltage is applied to a position of the intermediate transfer belt 21 facing the photoconductive drum 22 by the primary transfer roller 25 .
- the toner image developed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 22 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21 .
- a secondary transfer roller 33 is disposed to face the driving roller 31 that suspends the intermediate transfer belt 21 .
- a secondary transfer voltage is applied to the paper P by the secondary transfer roller 33 .
- the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is secondarily transferred to the paper P.
- a belt cleaner 34 is provided as illustrated in FIG. 1 . Residual toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is removed by the belt cleaner 34 .
- a paper feed roller 35 is provided between the paper feed cassette 18 and the secondary transfer roller 33 .
- the paper P that is picked up from the paper feed cassette 18 by a pickup roller 18 a disposed in the vicinity of the paper feed cassette 18 is conveyed to a gap between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the secondary transfer roller 33 by the paper feed roller 35 .
- a fixing device 50 is provided above the secondary transfer roller 33 .
- a paper discharge roller 37 is provided above the fixing device 50 .
- the paper P having passed through the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the secondary transfer roller 33 is heated by the fixing device 50 .
- the toner image is fixed to the paper P.
- the paper P having passed through the fixing device 50 is discharged to a paper discharge unit 38 by the paper discharge roller 37 .
- FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the fixing device 50 .
- the fixing device 50 includes a heating roller 60 , abase member 80 , a pressing pad 81 that is supported by the base member 80 , a fixing belt 51 that is wound around the heating roller 60 and the pressing pad 81 , a pressing roller 52 , and a lubricant holding member 90 .
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the fixing device 50 illustrated in FIG. 3 in a state where the fixing belt 51 is not illustrated.
- the heating roller 60 is a cylindrical member in which a longitudinal direction is a Y-axis direction.
- the heating roller 60 has a length of about 35 cm and a diameter of about 20 mm and is formed of a metal having a high thermal conductivity, for example, aluminum.
- the heating roller 60 is supported to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the Y-axis, for example, through a one-way gear. Therefore, a rotation direction of the heating roller 60 is limited to the left in FIG. 3 .
- a halogen heater 61 is disposed inside the heating roller 60 .
- the halogen heater 61 is substantially equal to the length of the heating roller 60 in the Y-axis direction.
- the base member 80 is a member that extends longitudinally in a Y-axis direction and has an XZ cross-section of a U-shape.
- the base member 80 is formed of, for example, iron or stainless steel.
- the base member 80 has substantially the same length as the heating roller 60 and is horizontally supported so as to be parallel to the Y-axis.
- the pressing pad 81 is a member that extends longitudinally in the Y-axis direction.
- the pressing pad 81 has the same length as that of the heating roller 60 and is formed of, for example, an elastic material such as silicone rubber or fluorine rubber or a heat resistant resin such as a polyimide resin, a polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polyether sulfone (PES), a liquid crystal polymer (LCP), or a phenol resin (PF).
- a sliding sheet 81 a having a low friction resistance that covers a surface of the pressing pad 81 may be provided on the surface of the pressing pad 81 .
- the sliding sheet 81 a can be polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or glass cloth impregnated with a fluororesin.
- PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene
- a sheet having a thickness of 0.2 mm and a single-layer structure formed of polytetrafluoroethylene can also be used as sliding sheet 81 a.
- the fixing belt 51 is an annular belt having a cylindrical shape that extends longitudinally in the Y-axis direction.
- the length of the fixing belt 51 in the Y-axis direction is substantially equal to the length of the heating roller 60 and is more than the width of the paper P (the dimension in the Y-axis direction).
- the fixing belt 51 is supported by the heating roller 60 and the pressing pad 81 . When the heating roller 60 is biased in a ⁇ X direction, the fixing belt 51 is suspended by a constant tensile force.
- the fixing belt 51 has a thickness of about 300 ⁇ m.
- a base of the fixing belt 51 is a film formed of, for example, polyimide having heat resistance and a thickness of 70 ⁇ m.
- a metal layer, a composite functional layer, an elastic layer, and a protective layer are laminated on a surface of the base.
- the metal layer is a layer formed of metal such as copper or SUS, and the composite functional layer is a layer formed of nickel.
- the elastic layer is a layer having a thickness of about 200 ⁇ m and formed of silicone rubber.
- the elastic layer is covered with the protective layer formed of a perfluoroalkoxy resin (PFA resin).
- PFA resin perfluoroalkoxy resin
- the pressing roller 52 is a cylindrical member in which a longitudinal direction is the Y-axis direction.
- the pressing roller 52 includes a core 52 a formed of a metal such as aluminum and a silicone rubber layer 52 b laminated on an outer circumferential surface of the core 52 a .
- a surface of the silicone rubber layer 52 b is covered with a perfluoroalkoxy resin (PFA resin).
- PFA resin perfluoroalkoxy resin
- the pressing roller 52 has an outer diameter of about 30 mm and a length that is substantially equal to the width of the fixing belt 51 .
- the pressing roller 52 supports the core 52 a such that the core 52 a is rotatable about the center of the roller, and is biased to the ⁇ X direction by, for example, an elastic force of a spring. As a result, the pressing roller 52 abuts against the pressing pad 81 through the fixing belt 51 . The pressing roller 52 abuts against the pressing pad 81 through the fixing belt 51 such that a nip through which the paper P passes is formed between the pressing roller 52 and the fixing belt 51 . In addition, when the paper P is a thick medium such as an envelope, the pressing roller 52 is positioned to be spaced from the fixing belt 51 by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the paper P.
- the lubricant holding member 90 is a member impregnated with a lubricant and includes two kinds of holding sheets 901 and 902 having different thicknesses.
- the lubricant holding member 90 includes six holding sheets 901 (six first holding portions) and five holding sheets 902 (six second holding portions). The numbers of the holding sheets 901 and 902 are determined depending on the size of the paper P used in the image forming apparatus 10 .
- the holding sheets 901 and 902 have a rectangular shape, and the lengths in the X-axis direction are, for example, about 1 cm. to 2 cm.
- the length of the holding sheet 901 in the Y-axis direction is, for example, about 2 cm, and the length of the holding sheet 902 in the Y-axis direction is, for example, about 3 cm to 4 cm.
- the thickness of the holding sheet 901 is, for example, about 3 mm
- the thickness of the holding sheet 902 is, for example, about 2 mm, such that the holding sheet 902 is thinner than the holding sheet 901 .
- the holding sheets 901 and 902 are formed of an elastically deformable material having liquid absorbing properties.
- the lubricant holding member 90 is formed of, for example, a material having liquid absorbing properties and high heat resistance such as aramid fibers, a melamine resin, or glass fibers.
- the lubricant holding member 90 is formed when the six holding sheets 901 and the five holding sheets 902 are bonded to a lower surface (surface on the ⁇ Z side) of the base member 80 via an adhesive or the like in a state where they are alternately arranged in the Y-axis direction.
- a portion formed by the holding sheet 902 becomes a recessed portion 91 that is recessed toward the ⁇ Z side.
- the depth of the recessed portion 91 is about 1 mm.
- FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the lubricant holding member 90 attached to the base member 80 .
- An upper surface of the lubricant holding member 90 illustrated in FIG. 5 is an abutting surface that abuts against the fixing belt 51 .
- an oil acting as a first lubricant is impregnated into the holding sheet 901 forming the lubricant holding member 90 , and a grease acting as a second lubricant is added to the holding sheet 902 .
- a region to which the first lubricant is added and a region to which the second lubricant is added are alternately formed in the Y-axis direction.
- a silicone oil having a viscosity of about 100 cs at 100 degrees Celsius can be used.
- a lubricant having a viscosity of about 200 cs to 300 cs that includes a synthetic oil as a base oil can be used.
- the density of the holding sheet 901 to which the first lubricant having a low viscosity is added can be set to be high, and the density of the holding sheet 902 to which the second lubricant having a high viscosity is added can be set to be low.
- each holding sheet can efficiently hold its respective kind of lubricant.
- the holding sheet 901 abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 51 in a state where the fixing belt is elastically deformed.
- the holding sheet 902 is positioned adjacent to and slightly spaced from the fixing belt 51 . It is preferable that the lubricant holding member 90 is disposed as close to adjacent as possible to the fixing belt 51 and the pressing pad 81 . In the fixing device 50 , the lubricant holding member 90 is disposed upstream of the pressing pad 81 .
- the halogen heater 61 is energized and heats the heating roller 60 .
- the heating roller 60 functions to heat and warm the fixing belt 51 .
- the pressing roller 52 rotates, the paper P is conveyed through the nip between the pressing roller 52 and the fixing belt 51 that rotate in directions indicated by arrows in FIG. 3 , respectively.
- the paper P is heated by the fixing belt 51 , and the toner image formed on the paper P is fixed to the paper P.
- the first lubricant impregnated into the holding sheet 901 of the lubricant holding member 90 is applied to a region A 1 of the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 51 through which the holding sheet 901 passes.
- the second lubricant impregnated into the holding sheet 902 is applied to a region A 2 of the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 51 through which the holding sheet 902 passes.
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control system configured to control the image forming apparatus 10 according to some embodiments.
- the control system includes, for example, a CPU 100 that controls the entire image forming apparatus, a bus line 110 , a read-only memory (ROM) 120 , a random access memory (RAM) 121 , an interface 122 , the scanner 15 , an input/output control circuit 123 , a paper feed/conveying control circuit 130 , an image forming control circuit 140 , and a fixing control circuit 150 .
- the CPU 100 and each of the circuits are connected to each other through the bus line 110 .
- the ROM 120 stores a control program, control data, and the like that regulate a basic operation of an image forming process.
- the RAM 121 functions as a working memory that is a work area of the CPU 100 .
- the CPU 100 executes the program stored in the ROM 120 .
- each of the components in the image forming apparatus 10 is integrally controlled by the CPU 100 and sequentially executes processes for forming an image on paper.
- the interface 122 communicates with a device such as a terminal to be used by a user.
- the input/output control circuit 123 displays information on the operation panel 14 or receives an input from the operation panel 14 .
- the user of the image forming apparatus 10 can designate, for example, a paper size or the number of copies of an original document via the operation panel 14 .
- the paper feed/conveying control circuit 130 is a unit that controls a motor group 131 that drives the pickup roller 18 a , the paper feed roller 35 , the paper discharge roller 37 of a conveyance path, or the like.
- the paper feed/conveying control circuit 130 controls the motor group 131 according to a control signal from the CPU 100 or detection results of the various sensors 132 that are provided in the vicinity of the paper feed cassette 18 or in the conveyance path or the like.
- the image forming control circuit 140 controls each of the photoconductive drum 22 , the electrostatic charger 23 , the scanning heads 19 Y, 19 M, 19 C, and 19 K, the developing unit 24 , and the primary transfer roller 25 based on a control signal from the CPU 100 .
- the fixing control circuit 150 controls a drive motor 151 that rotates the pressing roller 52 of the fixing device 50 based on a control signal from the CPU 100 , and drives the halogen heater 61 based on an output from a sensor 152 that detects the temperature of the fixing belt 51 or the size and the like of the paper P notified from the CPU. In addition, the fixing control circuit 150 stops the operation of the fixing device 50 based on a signal from a thermostat 153 that monitors overheating of the fixing belt 51 .
- the image forming apparatus 10 performs an image forming process for printing an image on the paper P in response to a print instruction triggered by the user.
- the image forming process is performed, for example, when image data received through the interface 122 is printed or when image data generated by the scanner 15 is printed.
- the image forming apparatus 10 executes the image forming process for forming an image on the paper P.
- the paper P is drawn out from the paper feed cassette 18 by the pickup roller 18 a and is conveyed to a gap between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the secondary transfer roller 33 by the paper feed roller 35 .
- the toner images are transferred to the photoconductive drums 22 in the image forming units 20 Y, 20 M, 20 C, and 20 K, respectively.
- the toner images formed on the photoconductive drums 22 in the respective image forming units 20 Y, 20 M, 20 C, and 20 K are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21 .
- a toner image including the yellow (Y) toner, the magenta (M) toner, the cyan (C) toner, and the black (K) toner is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 .
- the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred to the paper P.
- a toner image including the toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) is formed on the paper P.
- the paper P on which the toner image is formed passes through the fixing device 50 .
- the fixing control circuit 150 controls the output of the halogen heater 61 according to the size of the paper P.
- the paper P is heated bypassing through the fixing device 50 .
- the toner image transferred to the paper P is fixed to the paper P such that an image is formed on the paper P.
- the paper P on which the image is formed is discharged to the paper discharge unit 38 by the paper discharge roller 37 .
- the above-described process is repeated the number of times corresponding to the number of printing units.
- the holding sheets 901 and 902 have different heights.
- the oil as the first lubricant having a low viscosity is impregnated into the holding sheet 901 , and the grease as the second lubricant having a high viscosity is added to the recessed portion 91 that is formed by the holding sheets 901 and 902 .
- the first lubricant having a low viscosity and the second lubricant having a high viscosity are applied to the regions A 1 and A 2 , respectively, that are alternately provided adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the fixing belt 51 .
- the movement amount of the first lubricant that flows toward an end portion of the fixing belt 51 in Y-axis direction after being applied to the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 51 is small, and the outflow of the first lubricant having a low viscous resistance from the fixing belt 51 can be suppressed.
- sliding properties between the fixing belt 51 and the pressing pad 81 can be maintained for a long period of time without a significant increase in viscous resistance.
- a buffer material such as the sliding sheet 81 a is provided between the pressing pad 81 and the fixing belt 51 , sliding properties between the buffer material and the fixing belt 51 can be maintained for a long period of time.
- a sufficient amount of a lubricant such as silicone oil is applied to an inner circumferential surface of a fixing belt. Accordingly, along with the rotation of the fixing belt, the lubricant flows out from an end portion of the fixing belt such that the amount thereof becomes insufficient. As a result, sliding properties between the fixing belt and a pressing pad deteriorate. Even when the amount of the lubricant applied during assembly of the fixing device increases, the amount of the lubricant flowing out during the operation or assembly of the device increases, and an effect of increasing the amount of the lubricant contributing to the maintaining of lubricating ability cannot be obtained. In the fixing device according to the embodiment, the lubricant can be continuously supplied, and thus the lubricating ability of the fixing belt can be maintained for a long period of time.
- a lubricant such as silicone oil
- the lubricant holding member 90 includes the two types of holding sheets 901 and 902 . Since the lubricant holding member 90 is separated by the holding sheets 901 and 902 , the mixing of the first lubricant added to the holding sheet 901 and the second lubricant added to the holding sheet 902 is suppressed. Therefore, in the lubricant holding member 90 , the first lubricant and the second lubricant can be held in a state where they are separated from each other. As a result, the outflow of the first lubricant to the second lubricant applied to the fixing belt 51 can be efficiently suppressed. Accordingly, wear of the fixing belt 51 caused by friction can be suppressed, and the performance of the fixing device 50 can be maintained for a long period of time.
- the density of the holding sheet 901 to which the first lubricant having a low viscosity is added is set to be high
- the density of the holding sheet 902 to which the second lubricant having a high viscosity is added is set to be low.
- the first lubricant remains in the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 51 without the second lubricant flowing out. Accordingly, sliding properties of the fixing belt 51 can be maintained for a long period of time.
- the image forming apparatus 10 includes the fixing device 50 . Therefore, an image can be continuously formed with high accuracy.
- the lubricant holding member 90 includes the two kinds of holding sheets 901 and 902 .
- the present disclosure is not limited to this example.
- the lubricant holding member 90 may include one member.
- the recessed portion 91 of the lubricant holding member 90 can be filled with the second lubricant having a high viscosity, and the other portion can be impregnated with the first lubricant having a low viscosity.
- the first lubricant may be impregnated into the entirety of the lubricant holding member 90 or may be impregnated into a portion of the lubricant holding member other than the portion corresponding to the recessed portion 91 .
- the first lubricant having a low viscous resistance is applied to the region A 1 of the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 51
- the second lubricant having a high viscosity is applied to the region A 2 of the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 51 that passes through the recessed portion 91 . Accordingly, by suppressing the leakage of the first lubricant, wear of the fixing belt 51 caused by friction can be suppressed, and the performance of the fixing device 50 can be maintained for a long period of time.
- the lubricant holding member 90 may include four or less or six or more recessed portions 91 .
- the recessed portions 91 may be densely disposed at both the end portions of the lubricant holding member 90 in the Y-axis direction.
- the dimensions of the recessed portion 91 positioned at both the ends in the Y-axis direction may be more than the dimensions of other recessed portions.
- a recessed portion ranging from the abutting surface to the center portion of the lubricant holding member 90 may be formed on the abutting surface (the surface on the ⁇ Z side) of the lubricant holding member 90 .
- the present disclosure is not limited to this example.
- the recessed portion 91 may be formed.
- the first lubricant is the oil
- the second lubricant is the grease
- the first lubricant may be a grease instead of an oil as long as it has a viscosity of about 100 cs.
- the second lubricant may be a lubricant such as an oil other than a grease as long as it has a higher viscosity than the first lubricant.
- the halogen heater 61 is used as a heat source that heats the fixing belt 51 .
- the fixing belt 51 may be heated by electromagnetic induction using a heating coil.
- the fixing belt 51 may also be heated using a ceramic heater or the like.
- FIG. 9 illustrates a fixing device 50 A in which a ceramic heater 62 is used as a heat source.
- the fixing belt 51 is suspended by a pair of driving rollers 501 for rotating the fixing belt 51 and a tension roller 502 for applying tension to the fixing belt 51 .
- the driving rollers 501 rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow s
- the fixing belt 51 rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow A.
- the ceramic heater 62 includes a substrate that is formed of a ceramic and a heating unit that is formed of a resistive layer formed on the substrate. The heating unit is adjacent to the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 51 .
- the pressing roller 52 is pressed against the heating unit of the ceramic heater 62 adjacent to the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt 51 through the fixing belt 51 such that a nip is formed between the fixing belt 51 and the pressing roller 52 .
- the paper P to which the toner image is transferred passes through a region above the nip, the paper P is heated.
- the toner image is fixed to the paper P such that an image is formed on the paper P.
- the image forming apparatus 10 is a multi-function peripheral.
- the image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to this example and may be a laser printer or the like.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fixing For Electrophotography (AREA)
Abstract
A fixing device fixes a toner image to a medium conveyed in a conveying direction, the toner image formed on the medium, the fixing device including a heating rotating body, a heater, a pressing member, a pressing rotating body, and a lubricant holding member. The heater heats the heating rotating body, which is supported to be rotatable. The pressing member is disposed inside the heating rotating body. The pressing rotating body is pressed against the pressing member through the heating rotating body to form a nip through which the medium passes. The lubricant holding member has an abutting surface that abuts against an inner circumferential surface of the heating rotating body, and the abutting surface includes a first region filled with a first lubricant and a second region filled with a second lubricant.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/128,521 filed Dec. 21, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/791,744 filed Feb. 14, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated here by reference.
- Embodiments described herein relate generally to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus.
- An image forming apparatus such as a multi-function peripheral or a laser printer includes a fixing device for fixing a toner image to paper. For example, the fixing device transfers heat from a heater to paper through a fixing belt such that a toner image transferred to the paper is fixed to the paper. As a result, printing of an image, a character, or the like on paper is implemented.
- In this fixing device, a pressing roller is pressed against a pressing pad through a fixing belt such that a nip through which paper passes is formed between the fixing belt and the pressing roller, the pressing pad being disposed inside the fixing belt. Therefore, when the fixing belt and the pressing roller rotate when paper passes through the nip, an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt slides along the pressing pad. Therefore, a lubricant such as silicone oil is applied to the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt. As a result, the friction resistance of the fixing belt is reduced.
- However, the silicone oil can leak from an end portion of the fixing belt or evaporate when the fixing belt is heated such that the amount of the silicone oil is reduced. As a result, sliding properties of the fixing belt gradually deteriorate along with the operation of the device. Therefore, various techniques of supplying the lubricant to the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt even during the operation of the device to suppress deterioration in the sliding properties of the fixing belt are disclosed.
- In the related art, the lubricant is applied to the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt by a lubricant holding member. Therefore, deterioration of the sliding properties of the fixing belt can be suppressed. However, when the lubricant is heated, the viscosity thereof deteriorates, and the lubricant is likely to leak from the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to the outside. Therefore, when the operating time of the fixing device increases, the amount of lubricant may become insufficient. In addition, when a grease or the like having a high viscosity is used as the lubricant, the outflow of the lubricant can be suppressed. However, there is a problem in that the viscous resistance increases and sliding properties deteriorate.
-
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating an image forming unit; -
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fixing device; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the fixing device in a state where a fixing belt is not illustrated; -
FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a lubricant holding member attached to a base member; -
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control system that configures an image forming apparatus; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a lubricant holding member according to a modification example; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a lubricant holding member according to a modification example; and -
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a fixing device according to a modification example. - In general, according to one embodiment, a fixing device is a device that fixes a toner image to a medium conveyed in a conveying direction, the toner image being formed on the medium, the fixing device including a heating rotating body (e.g., a fixing belt), a heater, a pressing member (e.g., a pressing pad), a pressing rotating body (e.g., a pressing roller), and a lubricant holding member (holder). The heating rotating body is supported to be rotatable. The heater heats the heating rotating body. The pressing member is disposed inside the heating rotating body. The pressing rotating body is configured to be pressed against the pressing member through the heating rotating body to form a nip through which the medium passes. The lubricant holding member has an abutting surface that abuts against an inner circumferential surface of the heating rotating body. The abutting surface includes a first region to which a first lubricant having a first viscosity is added and a second region to which a second lubricant having a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity is added.
- Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus (e.g., a printer, copier, fax machine or the like) according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, an XYZ coordinate system including an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis perpendicular to each other is appropriately used.
-
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of animage forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment. Theimage forming apparatus 10 is, for example, multi-function peripheral (MFP). Theimage forming apparatus 10 includes amain body portion 11 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 13 that is disposed above themain body portion 11. Thedocument tray 12 is formed of transparent glass and is disposed above themain body portion 11, and the automatic document feeder (ADF) 13 is pivotably provided on an upper surface side of thedocument tray 12. In addition, anoperation panel 14 is provided above themain body portion 11. Theoperation panel 14 includes various keys and a graphical user interface (GUI). - A
scanner 15 for reading an original document is provided below thedocument tray 12. Thescanner 15 reads an original document conveyed from theautomatic document feeder 13 or an original document placed on thedocument tray 12 to generate image data. Thescanner 15 includes animage sensor 16. - When reading an image of an original document placed on the
document tray 12, theimage sensor 16 reads the image of the original document while moving along the document tray 12 in a +X direction. In addition, when reading an image of an original document supplied from theautomatic document feeder 13 to thedocument tray 12, theimage sensor 16 is fixed at a position illustrated inFIG. 1 and reads an image of each of original documents that are sequentially conveyed. - In the
main body portion 11, animage forming unit 17 is disposed. Theimage forming unit 17 forms a toner image on a recording medium such as paper accommodated in apaper feed cassette 18 based on image data read by thescanner 15 or image data generated by a personal computer or the like. - The
image forming unit 17 includes:image forming units heads intermediate transfer belt 21. - The
image forming units intermediate transfer belt 21. In theimage forming unit 17, theimage forming units scanning heads image forming units -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged illustration of theimage forming unit 20K among theimage forming units image forming units image forming unit 20K as an example. - The
image forming unit 20K includes aphotoconductive drum 22 as an image carrier. In the vicinity of thephotoconductive drum 22, anelectrostatic charger 23, a developingunit 24, aprimary transfer roller 25, acleaner 26, and the like are disposed along a direction indicated by an arrow t. An exposure position of thephotoconductive drum 22 is irradiated with laser light emitted from thescanning head 19K. By irradiating a surface of thephotoconductive drum 22 that is rotating with laser light, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of thephotoconductive drum 22. - The
electrostatic charger 23 of theimage forming unit 20K uniformly charges the surface of thephotoconductive drum 22. The developing unit 24 (e.g., developer) develops the electrostatic latent image by supplying the toner to thephotoconductive drum 22 using a developingroller 24 a to which a developing bias is applied. The cleaner 26 releases and removes residual toner on the surface of thephotoconductive drum 22 using ablade 27. The toner released by theblade 27 is collected by the cleaner 26. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , theintermediate transfer belt 21 is suspended by a drivingroller 31 and three drivenrollers 32. Theintermediate transfer belt 21 rotates to the left inFIG. 1 by the drivingroller 31 rotating. In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 1 , theintermediate transfer belt 21 is in contact with an upper surface of each of thephotoconductive drums 22 of theimage forming units intermediate transfer belt 21 facing thephotoconductive drum 22 by theprimary transfer roller 25. As a result, the toner image developed on the surface of thephotoconductive drum 22 is primarily transferred to theintermediate transfer belt 21. - A
secondary transfer roller 33 is disposed to face the drivingroller 31 that suspends theintermediate transfer belt 21. When paper P passes through a gap between the drivingroller 31 and thesecondary transfer roller 33, a secondary transfer voltage is applied to the paper P by thesecondary transfer roller 33. As a result, the toner image formed on theintermediate transfer belt 21 is secondarily transferred to the paper P. In the vicinity of the drivenroller 32 of theintermediate transfer belt 21, abelt cleaner 34 is provided as illustrated inFIG. 1 . Residual toner on the surface of theintermediate transfer belt 21 is removed by thebelt cleaner 34. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , apaper feed roller 35 is provided between thepaper feed cassette 18 and thesecondary transfer roller 33. The paper P that is picked up from thepaper feed cassette 18 by apickup roller 18 a disposed in the vicinity of thepaper feed cassette 18 is conveyed to a gap between theintermediate transfer belt 21 and thesecondary transfer roller 33 by thepaper feed roller 35. - A fixing
device 50 is provided above thesecondary transfer roller 33. In addition, apaper discharge roller 37 is provided above the fixingdevice 50. The paper P having passed through theintermediate transfer belt 21 and thesecondary transfer roller 33 is heated by the fixingdevice 50. As a result, the toner image is fixed to the paper P. The paper P having passed through the fixingdevice 50 is discharged to apaper discharge unit 38 by thepaper discharge roller 37. -
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the fixingdevice 50. For example, the fixingdevice 50 includes aheating roller 60, abasemember 80, apressing pad 81 that is supported by thebase member 80, a fixingbelt 51 that is wound around theheating roller 60 and thepressing pad 81, apressing roller 52, and alubricant holding member 90. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the fixingdevice 50 illustrated inFIG. 3 in a state where the fixingbelt 51 is not illustrated. Theheating roller 60 is a cylindrical member in which a longitudinal direction is a Y-axis direction. Theheating roller 60 has a length of about 35 cm and a diameter of about 20 mm and is formed of a metal having a high thermal conductivity, for example, aluminum. Theheating roller 60 is supported to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the Y-axis, for example, through a one-way gear. Therefore, a rotation direction of theheating roller 60 is limited to the left inFIG. 3 . As illustrated inFIG. 4 , for example, ahalogen heater 61 is disposed inside theheating roller 60. Thehalogen heater 61 is substantially equal to the length of theheating roller 60 in the Y-axis direction. - The
base member 80 is a member that extends longitudinally in a Y-axis direction and has an XZ cross-section of a U-shape. Thebase member 80 is formed of, for example, iron or stainless steel. Thebase member 80 has substantially the same length as theheating roller 60 and is horizontally supported so as to be parallel to the Y-axis. - The
pressing pad 81 is a member that extends longitudinally in the Y-axis direction. Thepressing pad 81 has the same length as that of theheating roller 60 and is formed of, for example, an elastic material such as silicone rubber or fluorine rubber or a heat resistant resin such as a polyimide resin, a polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polyether sulfone (PES), a liquid crystal polymer (LCP), or a phenol resin (PF). For example, as illustrated inFIG. 3 , a slidingsheet 81 a having a low friction resistance that covers a surface of thepressing pad 81 may be provided on the surface of thepressing pad 81. - The sliding
sheet 81 a, for example, can be polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or glass cloth impregnated with a fluororesin. A sheet having a thickness of 0.2 mm and a single-layer structure formed of polytetrafluoroethylene can also be used as slidingsheet 81 a. - The fixing
belt 51 is an annular belt having a cylindrical shape that extends longitudinally in the Y-axis direction. The length of the fixingbelt 51 in the Y-axis direction is substantially equal to the length of theheating roller 60 and is more than the width of the paper P (the dimension in the Y-axis direction). The fixingbelt 51 is supported by theheating roller 60 and thepressing pad 81. When theheating roller 60 is biased in a −X direction, the fixingbelt 51 is suspended by a constant tensile force. - The fixing
belt 51 has a thickness of about 300 μm. A base of the fixingbelt 51 is a film formed of, for example, polyimide having heat resistance and a thickness of 70 μm. In some embodiments, a metal layer, a composite functional layer, an elastic layer, and a protective layer are laminated on a surface of the base. - The metal layer is a layer formed of metal such as copper or SUS, and the composite functional layer is a layer formed of nickel. The elastic layer is a layer having a thickness of about 200 μm and formed of silicone rubber. The elastic layer is covered with the protective layer formed of a perfluoroalkoxy resin (PFA resin). In order to reduce the warm-up time of the fixing
device 50, the thicknesses of the elastic layer and the protective layer are adjusted such that the thermal capacity does not increase excessively. Silicone oil as a lubricant is applied to an inner circumferential surface of the fixingbelt 51. - As illustrated in
FIG. 4 , the pressingroller 52 is a cylindrical member in which a longitudinal direction is the Y-axis direction. Thepressing roller 52 includes a core 52 a formed of a metal such as aluminum and asilicone rubber layer 52 b laminated on an outer circumferential surface of the core 52 a. A surface of thesilicone rubber layer 52 b is covered with a perfluoroalkoxy resin (PFA resin). In some embodiments, the pressingroller 52 has an outer diameter of about 30 mm and a length that is substantially equal to the width of the fixingbelt 51. - The
pressing roller 52 supports the core 52 a such that the core 52 a is rotatable about the center of the roller, and is biased to the −X direction by, for example, an elastic force of a spring. As a result, the pressingroller 52 abuts against thepressing pad 81 through the fixingbelt 51. Thepressing roller 52 abuts against thepressing pad 81 through the fixingbelt 51 such that a nip through which the paper P passes is formed between thepressing roller 52 and the fixingbelt 51. In addition, when the paper P is a thick medium such as an envelope, the pressingroller 52 is positioned to be spaced from the fixingbelt 51 by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the paper P. - The
lubricant holding member 90 is a member impregnated with a lubricant and includes two kinds of holdingsheets lubricant holding member 90 includes six holding sheets 901 (six first holding portions) and five holding sheets 902 (six second holding portions). The numbers of the holdingsheets image forming apparatus 10. - The holding
sheets sheet 901 in the Y-axis direction is, for example, about 2 cm, and the length of the holdingsheet 902 in the Y-axis direction is, for example, about 3 cm to 4 cm. In addition, the thickness of the holdingsheet 901 is, for example, about 3 mm, and the thickness of the holdingsheet 902 is, for example, about 2 mm, such that the holdingsheet 902 is thinner than the holdingsheet 901. The holdingsheets lubricant holding member 90 is formed of, for example, a material having liquid absorbing properties and high heat resistance such as aramid fibers, a melamine resin, or glass fibers. - The
lubricant holding member 90 is formed when the six holdingsheets 901 and the five holdingsheets 902 are bonded to a lower surface (surface on the −Z side) of thebase member 80 via an adhesive or the like in a state where they are alternately arranged in the Y-axis direction. In thelubricant holding member 90, a portion formed by the holdingsheet 902 becomes a recessedportion 91 that is recessed toward the −Z side. The depth of the recessedportion 91 is about 1 mm. -
FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating thelubricant holding member 90 attached to thebase member 80. An upper surface of thelubricant holding member 90 illustrated inFIG. 5 is an abutting surface that abuts against the fixingbelt 51. As illustrated inFIG. 5 , an oil acting as a first lubricant is impregnated into the holdingsheet 901 forming thelubricant holding member 90, and a grease acting as a second lubricant is added to the holdingsheet 902. As a result, in the abutting surface of thelubricant holding member 90, a region to which the first lubricant is added and a region to which the second lubricant is added are alternately formed in the Y-axis direction. - As the oil used as the first lubricant, a silicone oil having a viscosity of about 100 cs at 100 degrees Celsius can be used. In addition, as the grease used as the second lubricant, for example, a lubricant having a viscosity of about 200 cs to 300 cs that includes a synthetic oil as a base oil can be used.
- The density of the holding
sheet 901 to which the first lubricant having a low viscosity is added can be set to be high, and the density of the holdingsheet 902 to which the second lubricant having a high viscosity is added can be set to be low. As a result, each holding sheet can efficiently hold its respective kind of lubricant. - As illustrated in
FIG. 3 , in thelubricant holding member 90 having the above-described configuration, the holdingsheet 901 abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the fixingbelt 51 in a state where the fixing belt is elastically deformed. The holdingsheet 902 is positioned adjacent to and slightly spaced from the fixingbelt 51. It is preferable that thelubricant holding member 90 is disposed as close to adjacent as possible to the fixingbelt 51 and thepressing pad 81. In the fixingdevice 50, thelubricant holding member 90 is disposed upstream of thepressing pad 81. - In the above-described
fixing device 50, thehalogen heater 61 is energized and heats theheating roller 60. Theheating roller 60 functions to heat and warm the fixingbelt 51. When thepressing roller 52 rotates, the paper P is conveyed through the nip between thepressing roller 52 and the fixingbelt 51 that rotate in directions indicated by arrows inFIG. 3 , respectively. As a result, the paper P is heated by the fixingbelt 51, and the toner image formed on the paper P is fixed to the paper P. - When the fixing
belt 51 rotates, as illustrated inFIG. 5 , the first lubricant impregnated into the holdingsheet 901 of thelubricant holding member 90 is applied to a region A1 of the inner circumferential surface of the fixingbelt 51 through which the holdingsheet 901 passes. In addition, the second lubricant impregnated into the holdingsheet 902 is applied to a region A2 of the inner circumferential surface of the fixingbelt 51 through which the holdingsheet 902 passes. -
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control system configured to control theimage forming apparatus 10 according to some embodiments. The control system includes, for example, aCPU 100 that controls the entire image forming apparatus, abus line 110, a read-only memory (ROM) 120, a random access memory (RAM) 121, aninterface 122, thescanner 15, an input/output control circuit 123, a paper feed/conveyingcontrol circuit 130, an image formingcontrol circuit 140, and a fixingcontrol circuit 150. TheCPU 100 and each of the circuits are connected to each other through thebus line 110. - The
ROM 120 stores a control program, control data, and the like that regulate a basic operation of an image forming process. - The
RAM 121 functions as a working memory that is a work area of theCPU 100. - The
CPU 100 executes the program stored in theROM 120. As a result, each of the components in theimage forming apparatus 10 is integrally controlled by theCPU 100 and sequentially executes processes for forming an image on paper. - The
interface 122 communicates with a device such as a terminal to be used by a user. The input/output control circuit 123 displays information on theoperation panel 14 or receives an input from theoperation panel 14. The user of theimage forming apparatus 10 can designate, for example, a paper size or the number of copies of an original document via theoperation panel 14. - The paper feed/conveying
control circuit 130 is a unit that controls amotor group 131 that drives thepickup roller 18 a, thepaper feed roller 35, thepaper discharge roller 37 of a conveyance path, or the like. The paper feed/conveyingcontrol circuit 130 controls themotor group 131 according to a control signal from theCPU 100 or detection results of thevarious sensors 132 that are provided in the vicinity of thepaper feed cassette 18 or in the conveyance path or the like. - The image forming
control circuit 140 controls each of thephotoconductive drum 22, theelectrostatic charger 23, the scanning heads 19Y, 19M, 19C, and 19K, the developingunit 24, and theprimary transfer roller 25 based on a control signal from theCPU 100. - The fixing
control circuit 150 controls adrive motor 151 that rotates thepressing roller 52 of the fixingdevice 50 based on a control signal from theCPU 100, and drives thehalogen heater 61 based on an output from asensor 152 that detects the temperature of the fixingbelt 51 or the size and the like of the paper P notified from the CPU. In addition, the fixingcontrol circuit 150 stops the operation of the fixingdevice 50 based on a signal from athermostat 153 that monitors overheating of the fixingbelt 51. - The
image forming apparatus 10 performs an image forming process for printing an image on the paper P in response to a print instruction triggered by the user. The image forming process is performed, for example, when image data received through theinterface 122 is printed or when image data generated by thescanner 15 is printed. - Next, the image forming process of the
image forming apparatus 10 will be described. When the print instruction from the user is received, theimage forming apparatus 10 executes the image forming process for forming an image on the paper P. In the image forming process, as illustrated inFIG. 1 , the paper P is drawn out from thepaper feed cassette 18 by thepickup roller 18 a and is conveyed to a gap between theintermediate transfer belt 21 and thesecondary transfer roller 33 by thepaper feed roller 35. - Concurrently with the above-described operation, the toner images are transferred to the
photoconductive drums 22 in theimage forming units photoconductive drums 22 in the respectiveimage forming units intermediate transfer belt 21. As a result, a toner image including the yellow (Y) toner, the magenta (M) toner, the cyan (C) toner, and the black (K) toner is formed on theintermediate transfer belt 21. - When the paper P conveyed to the gap between the
intermediate transfer belt 21 and thesecondary transfer roller 33 passes through the gap, the toner image formed on theintermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred to the paper P. As a result, a toner image including the toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) is formed on the paper P. - The paper P on which the toner image is formed passes through the fixing
device 50. At this time, the fixingcontrol circuit 150 controls the output of thehalogen heater 61 according to the size of the paper P. The paper P is heated bypassing through the fixingdevice 50. As a result, the toner image transferred to the paper P is fixed to the paper P such that an image is formed on the paper P. The paper P on which the image is formed is discharged to thepaper discharge unit 38 by thepaper discharge roller 37. In the image forming process, the above-described process is repeated the number of times corresponding to the number of printing units. - In the fixing
device 50 according to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4 , the holdingsheets sheet 901, and the grease as the second lubricant having a high viscosity is added to the recessedportion 91 that is formed by the holdingsheets FIG. 5 , the first lubricant having a low viscosity and the second lubricant having a high viscosity are applied to the regions A1 and A2, respectively, that are alternately provided adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the fixingbelt 51. - Therefore, the movement amount of the first lubricant that flows toward an end portion of the fixing
belt 51 in Y-axis direction after being applied to the inner circumferential surface of the fixingbelt 51 is small, and the outflow of the first lubricant having a low viscous resistance from the fixingbelt 51 can be suppressed. As a result, sliding properties between the fixingbelt 51 and thepressing pad 81 can be maintained for a long period of time without a significant increase in viscous resistance. In addition, when a buffer material such as the slidingsheet 81 a is provided between thepressing pad 81 and the fixingbelt 51, sliding properties between the buffer material and the fixingbelt 51 can be maintained for a long period of time. - Accordingly, wear of the fixing
belt 51 and thepressing pad 81 or wear of the fixingbelt 51 and the buffer material such as the slidingsheet 81 a can be suppressed, and the performance of the fixingdevice 50 can be maintained for a long period of time. - During assembly of a fixing device, a sufficient amount of a lubricant such as silicone oil is applied to an inner circumferential surface of a fixing belt. Accordingly, along with the rotation of the fixing belt, the lubricant flows out from an end portion of the fixing belt such that the amount thereof becomes insufficient. As a result, sliding properties between the fixing belt and a pressing pad deteriorate. Even when the amount of the lubricant applied during assembly of the fixing device increases, the amount of the lubricant flowing out during the operation or assembly of the device increases, and an effect of increasing the amount of the lubricant contributing to the maintaining of lubricating ability cannot be obtained. In the fixing device according to the embodiment, the lubricant can be continuously supplied, and thus the lubricating ability of the fixing belt can be maintained for a long period of time.
- In addition, in the fixing
device 50 according to the embodiment, thelubricant holding member 90 includes the two types of holdingsheets lubricant holding member 90 is separated by the holdingsheets sheet 901 and the second lubricant added to the holdingsheet 902 is suppressed. Therefore, in thelubricant holding member 90, the first lubricant and the second lubricant can be held in a state where they are separated from each other. As a result, the outflow of the first lubricant to the second lubricant applied to the fixingbelt 51 can be efficiently suppressed. Accordingly, wear of the fixingbelt 51 caused by friction can be suppressed, and the performance of the fixingdevice 50 can be maintained for a long period of time. - In the
lubricant holding member 90 according to the embodiment, the density of the holdingsheet 901 to which the first lubricant having a low viscosity is added is set to be high, and the density of the holdingsheet 902 to which the second lubricant having a high viscosity is added is set to be low. As a result, the two kinds of lubricants can be efficiently held, with the first holding sheet holding the first lubricant and the second holding sheet holding the second lubricant. - In the fixing
device 50 according to the embodiment, even when the first lubricant flows out, the first lubricant remains in the inner circumferential surface of the fixingbelt 51 without the second lubricant flowing out. Accordingly, sliding properties of the fixingbelt 51 can be maintained for a long period of time. - The
image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment includes the fixingdevice 50. Therefore, an image can be continuously formed with high accuracy. - Hereinabove, at least one embodiment has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment(s). For example, in the description of the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in
FIG. 4 , thelubricant holding member 90 includes the two kinds of holdingsheets FIG. 7 , thelubricant holding member 90 may include one member. In this case, the recessedportion 91 of thelubricant holding member 90 can be filled with the second lubricant having a high viscosity, and the other portion can be impregnated with the first lubricant having a low viscosity. The first lubricant may be impregnated into the entirety of thelubricant holding member 90 or may be impregnated into a portion of the lubricant holding member other than the portion corresponding to the recessedportion 91. - Even when the
lubricant holding member 90 includes one member, the first lubricant having a low viscous resistance is applied to the region A1 of the inner circumferential surface of the fixingbelt 51, and the second lubricant having a high viscosity is applied to the region A2 of the inner circumferential surface of the fixingbelt 51 that passes through the recessedportion 91. Accordingly, by suppressing the leakage of the first lubricant, wear of the fixingbelt 51 caused by friction can be suppressed, and the performance of the fixingdevice 50 can be maintained for a long period of time. - In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in
FIG. 5 , five recessedportions 91 are formed in thelubricant holding member 90. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. Thelubricant holding member 90 may include four or less or six or more recessedportions 91. - In addition, in consideration of the outflow of the lubricant from both end portions of the fixing
belt 51 to the outside, the recessedportions 91 may be densely disposed at both the end portions of thelubricant holding member 90 in the Y-axis direction. In addition, the dimensions of the recessedportion 91 positioned at both the ends in the Y-axis direction may be more than the dimensions of other recessed portions. - In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in
FIG. 4 , a recessed portion ranging from the abutting surface to the center portion of thelubricant holding member 90 may be formed on the abutting surface (the surface on the −Z side) of thelubricant holding member 90. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. As illustrated inFIG. 8 , by forming a notch ranging from an outer edge to the center portion of thelubricant holding member 90, the recessedportion 91 may be formed. - In the above-described embodiment, the first lubricant is the oil, and the second lubricant is the grease. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The first lubricant may be a grease instead of an oil as long as it has a viscosity of about 100 cs. Likewise, the second lubricant may be a lubricant such as an oil other than a grease as long as it has a higher viscosity than the first lubricant.
- In the description of the above-described embodiment, the
halogen heater 61 is used as a heat source that heats the fixingbelt 51. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The fixingbelt 51 may be heated by electromagnetic induction using a heating coil. In addition, the fixingbelt 51 may also be heated using a ceramic heater or the like. - For example,
FIG. 9 illustrates afixing device 50A in which aceramic heater 62 is used as a heat source. As illustrated inFIG. 9 , in thefixing device 50A, the fixingbelt 51 is suspended by a pair of drivingrollers 501 for rotating the fixingbelt 51 and atension roller 502 for applying tension to the fixingbelt 51. When the drivingrollers 501 rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow s, the fixingbelt 51 rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow A. For example, theceramic heater 62 includes a substrate that is formed of a ceramic and a heating unit that is formed of a resistive layer formed on the substrate. The heating unit is adjacent to the inner circumferential surface of the fixingbelt 51. - In the
fixing device 50A, the pressingroller 52 is pressed against the heating unit of theceramic heater 62 adjacent to the inner circumferential surface of the fixingbelt 51 through the fixingbelt 51 such that a nip is formed between the fixingbelt 51 and thepressing roller 52. When the paper P to which the toner image is transferred passes through a region above the nip, the paper P is heated. As a result, the toner image is fixed to the paper P such that an image is formed on the paper P. - In the description of the embodiments, the
image forming apparatus 10 is a multi-function peripheral. However, theimage forming apparatus 10 is not limited to this example and may be a laser printer or the like. - While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
Claims (15)
1. A fixing device configured to fix a toner image to a medium, comprising:
a heating rotating body supported to be rotatable;
a base member disposed at an inner circumferential surface of the heating rotating body;
a pressing member attached to the base member;
a pressing rotating body configured to be pressed against the pressing member through the heating rotating body to form a nip through which the medium passes; and
a lubricant holder attached to the base member, the lubricant holder comprising an abutting surface that abuts against an inner circumferential surface of the heating rotating body on an upstream side from the nip in a rotation direction of the heating rotating body, the abutting surface comprising:
a first region configured to hold a first lubricant having a first viscosity, and
a second region configured to hold a second lubricant having a second viscosity, the second viscosity being higher than the first viscosity.
2. The device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the first region and the second region are alternately arranged in a direction perpendicular to an axis around which the heating rotating body is rotatable.
3. The device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the first lubricant is oil, and
the second lubricant is grease.
4. The device according to claim 1 ,
wherein a viscosity of the first lubricant at 100 degrees Celsius is 100 cs.
5. The device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the lubricant holder is disposed upstream of the pressing member.
6. The device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the lubricant holder is formed of a member having liquid absorbing properties.
7. An image forming unit configured to forma toner image;
a fixing device configured to heat a medium to fix the toner image to the medium, the fixing device comprising:
a heating rotating body supported so as to be rotatable,
a base member disposed at an inner circumferential surface of the heating rotating body,
a pressing member attached to the base member;
a pressing rotating body configured to be pressed against the pressing member through the heating rotating body to form a nip through which the medium passes, and
a lubricant holder attached to the base member, the lubricant holder having an abutting surface that abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the heating rotating body on an upstream side from the nip in a rotation direction of the heating rotating body, the abutting surface including:
a first region configured to hold a first lubricant having a first viscosity, and
a second region configured to hold a second lubricant having a second viscosity, the second viscosity differing from the first viscosity.
8. The image forming unit according to claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of toner image forming units each configured to form an electrostatic latent image on a developing medium for transfer to a transfer medium.
9. The image forming unit according to claim 8 ,
wherein the transfer medium is an intermediate transfer belt configured to hold a primary transfer voltage for receiving the electrostatic latent image when exposed to the plurality of toner image forming units.
10. The image forming unit according to claim 9 ,
wherein the medium is configured to hold a secondary transfer voltage for receiving the toner image when exposed to the intermediate transfer belt.
11. The image forming unit according to claim 7 ,
wherein the first lubricant is oil, and the second lubricant is grease.
12. The image forming unit according to claim 7 ,
wherein a viscosity of the first lubricant at 100 degrees Celsius is 100 cs.
13. The image forming unit according to claim 7 ,
wherein the lubricant holder is disposed upstream of the pressing member.
14. The image forming unit according to claim 7 ,
wherein the lubricant holder is formed of material having liquid absorbing properties.
15. The image forming unit according to claim 7 , wherein the second viscosity is higher than the first viscosity.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/476,722 US20220004127A1 (en) | 2020-02-14 | 2021-09-16 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/791,744 US10908540B1 (en) | 2020-02-14 | 2020-02-14 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
US17/128,521 US11262676B2 (en) | 2020-02-14 | 2020-12-21 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
US17/476,722 US20220004127A1 (en) | 2020-02-14 | 2021-09-16 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/128,521 Continuation US11262676B2 (en) | 2020-02-14 | 2020-12-21 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20220004127A1 true US20220004127A1 (en) | 2022-01-06 |
Family
ID=74260843
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/791,744 Active US10908540B1 (en) | 2020-02-14 | 2020-02-14 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
US17/128,521 Active US11262676B2 (en) | 2020-02-14 | 2020-12-21 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
US17/476,722 Abandoned US20220004127A1 (en) | 2020-02-14 | 2021-09-16 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
Family Applications Before (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/791,744 Active US10908540B1 (en) | 2020-02-14 | 2020-02-14 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
US17/128,521 Active US11262676B2 (en) | 2020-02-14 | 2020-12-21 | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US10908540B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10908540B1 (en) * | 2020-02-14 | 2021-02-02 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2004029607A (en) | 2002-06-28 | 2004-01-29 | Hitachi Home & Life Solutions Inc | Image forming and recording device |
JP5003185B2 (en) | 2007-02-01 | 2012-08-15 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Fixing unit |
JP5125267B2 (en) | 2007-07-09 | 2013-01-23 | コニカミノルタビジネステクノロジーズ株式会社 | Sliding sheet for fixing device and manufacturing method thereof, fixing device and image forming apparatus |
JP5321905B2 (en) * | 2009-09-01 | 2013-10-23 | 株式会社リコー | Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus |
JP5945918B2 (en) * | 2012-03-12 | 2016-07-05 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus |
KR102177997B1 (en) * | 2014-01-10 | 2020-11-12 | 휴렛-팩커드 디벨롭먼트 컴퍼니, 엘.피. | Fusing device and image forming apparatus having the same |
US10719040B2 (en) * | 2016-09-21 | 2020-07-21 | Konica Minolta, Inc. | Fixing device containing heating member, nip area member, fixing belt, pressing member, and protrusion, and image forming apparatus |
JP7081208B2 (en) * | 2018-02-28 | 2022-06-07 | コニカミノルタ株式会社 | Fixing device and image forming device |
US10908540B1 (en) * | 2020-02-14 | 2021-02-02 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
-
2020
- 2020-02-14 US US16/791,744 patent/US10908540B1/en active Active
- 2020-12-21 US US17/128,521 patent/US11262676B2/en active Active
-
2021
- 2021-09-16 US US17/476,722 patent/US20220004127A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US10908540B1 (en) | 2021-02-02 |
US11262676B2 (en) | 2022-03-01 |
US20210255568A1 (en) | 2021-08-19 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2921911A1 (en) | Fixing device and image forming apparatus | |
US7254360B2 (en) | Image fixing apparatus, and, image forming apparatus having the same, and image forming process | |
US5660750A (en) | Image heating apparatus with elastic heater | |
US20220004127A1 (en) | Fixing device and image forming apparatus | |
US11126116B2 (en) | Fixing device and image forming apparatus | |
US11347167B2 (en) | Fixing device and image forming device | |
JP2005077872A (en) | Fixing device and image forming apparatus | |
EP3608724A1 (en) | Fixing device and image forming apparatus | |
US20210116848A1 (en) | Image heating device that prevents failure caused by insufficient supply of lubricant at ends parts | |
US11650524B2 (en) | Fixing device and image forming apparatus | |
JP7328090B2 (en) | Fixing device and image forming device | |
US11340542B2 (en) | Fixing device and image forming apparatus | |
JP2020106675A (en) | Image heating device | |
US20240168417A1 (en) | Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating the same | |
JP5867434B2 (en) | Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus | |
US20240160129A1 (en) | Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating the same | |
JP4341338B2 (en) | Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus | |
JP2003307968A (en) | Image forming apparatus | |
JP2022139860A (en) | Fixing device and image forming apparatus | |
JP2022145549A (en) | Fixing device and image forming apparatus | |
JP2003345168A (en) | Fixing device and image forming apparatus provided with the fixing device | |
JP2015135421A (en) | Fixing apparatus, slide member, and image forming apparatus |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WATANABE, TAKAHO;REEL/FRAME:057501/0235 Effective date: 20200210 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |